Improving Safety with LED Signal Lamps

Car lighting is a complex system that is vital for the safety of the driver. As well as all the people that are on the roads around you. For the most part, people understand the need for these systems. Yet they often don’t consider all types of car lights as equally important.

For example, it is easy to convince someone to upgrade their main headlights to LEDs. As the main lights help people see what is on the road ahead. Not only during nighttime but also during all types of adverse weather conditions. But, in these extreme conditions, sometimes, your signal lights can be even more important than the headlights themselves.

Since they relay emergency changes in driving and braking applications to the people in traffic around you. Recognizing these changes in time can often make up the difference between a near-death experience that just scares you a bit. And an actual accident that may even result in a massive pileup on the roads.

After all, when you’re traveling at the speed limit and/or above, reaction time is everything. And if an upgraded signal lamp can give you even a few seconds more in reaction time, it can literally save your life. So, why not invest in improving safety with LED signal lamps?

That being said, upgrading your signal lamps can be a struggle in itself. Since not that many people are aware of their upgradability, or even want to invest in such. On top of that, once you actually decide to upgrade them, you need to upgrade all of them. Including but not limited to turn indicators, brake lights, dashboard lights, adaptive signal systems, and more.

Thankfully, established brands like OSRAM have already invested in a whole range of LED signal bulbs. Which can be used as a plug-and-play solution for most vehicles. These lamps come in different categories, based on the connector type and use cases. And feature a near-stock design, so as to easily blend in with OEM bulbs, while still providing superior performance.

Let us take a look at a few such options, and how you can utilize them for your own usage. The majority of signal lamps that we will talk about are stock replacement options. That come under the ORIGINAL series from OSRAM. While there are a few other options that are more obvious in their aftermarket appearance. Let’s start with the former ones first.

ORIGINAL — Metal Base

A light bulb with a metal base is one of the most common types of configuration for electrical systems across the world. In the UK and its former colonies, the bayonet mount style is the standard fastening mechanism for these applications. While in other parts of the world, the Edison screw design is more prevalent. In either case, metal base bulbs are the standard for most vehicles across most brands.

OSRAM’s ORIGINAL Metal Base bulbs, as the name suggests, are stock replacement options for these kinds of signal lamps. They come in various sizes and colors and can take anywhere from 2–25W of power input, depending on the specific application. The design matches perfectly with OEM options for easy replaceability. And you can replace any and/or all signal lights in your car with these highly reliable alternatives at an affordable price.

DIADEM CHROME

This series of bulbs are meant for exterior applications only. They feature a similar bayonet mount as the metal base series. With the difference between them being the addition of the interference and absorber coatings. This gives the bulb a nice chrome look that blends in with the housing when not in operation. It is only when they are turned on, do the bulbs emit a solid amber light, needed for braking and turning applications.

You can get them in 5W and 25W configurations, which provide enough light for all kinds of signaling needs. Of course, they are a bit more expensive than the ORIGINAL series. But more than make up for it, thanks to the upgrade in aesthetics.

ORIGINAL — Plastic MF Base

An alternate to the screw mechanism is bi-pin connectors, which can simply be slotted into place. The base fits snugly into the mount and holds the bulb in place without the need for additional reinforcement. This type of connection was initially designed to get around the expenses of the patented Edison screw. Which was the default option for incandescent bulbs until the late 1800s.

OSRAM’s ORIGINAL Plastic MF Base, as the name suggests, uses a similar connection. Which is insulated inside a plastic MF base. The simpler connection allows for a more compact design, which makes them better for even more low-power applications. You can get multiple versions of these bulbs, ranging from 1.2W — 2.13W in power input. These make great replacements for instrument and switch lighting systems.

ORIGINAL — Glass Wedge Base

The Glass Wedge design is another type of bi-pin connector, which can be used even without a dedicated base. As the name suggests, the connecting wires extend further out of the bulb and are then bent back around the base of the bulb itself. The base is often slimmer than the bulb itself, which gives it a distinct wedge shape. This design allows the bulb to be used with a straight in and out force, without the need for any turning action.

Just like other types of mounts, you can get glass wedge base bulbs for all sorts of low-power applications. The series ranges from 2W to 25W bulbs, with some even featuring a dual filament design for multitasking as both parking and brake lights. Make sure you check what kind of lighting system your car uses before you make the final decision on which one’s to buy.

ORIGINAL MINIXEN

The MINIXEN series is made specifically for interior lighting applications. It features options for both a glass wedge base as well a standard bayonet mount. Both bulbs only use about 6W of power and produce a nice visible glow that is enough to illuminate most car interiors. You can use them as a simple OEM replacement option, without any further modification to the interior lights.

COOL BLUE INTENSE W5W

For people who want more than a stock experience, OSRAM’s Cool Blue Intense series is a great option. This is a family of high-performance LED lights from the brand. Which, as the name suggests, delivers an intense and cool blue light that emulates that of a xenon bulb, at around 4000K.

This particular model features a standard bi-pin connector and is great for use in number plate lights, position lights, and even parking lights. You can easily use it as a stock-replacement option, although the bright blue light will certainly give away the fact that it is anything but stock. Even with the extreme light, the bulb only uses around 5.5W of power input. So, it shouldn’t be too much of a draw on your overall lighting system.

The great thing about the selection from OSRAM is that for each stock replacement category that they cover, they also have a similar option available through their LEDriving banner. This way, you can easily switch between regular stock replacement solutions, and high-performance LEDs.

By using any and/or all of these lighting solutions, you can drastically improve safety with LED signal lamps. We would definitely recommend these to anyone looking to upgrade their complete lighting setup. As the combined effect can truly help keep you safer on the busy streets, in all kinds of visibility conditions. While also matching the new, upgraded aesthetic of your vehicle.